Ayaneo built a Game Boy remake with something no one expected hiding in the power button, and it could change how you play games

The high price of the Ayaneo Pocket DMG turned off many retro gaming fans, leaving some players unwilling to pay a premium for a modern take on the classic Game Boy design. In response, Ayaneo is now taking a different approach with a new handheld that aims to be more affordable. The company recently announced the Ayaneo Pocket Vert, which will start at $269 for early bird buyers.

By comparison, the Pocket DMG launched at $449, a price point that put it out of reach for many enthusiasts. According to Engadget, Ayaneo trimmed several features for the Pocket Vert to bring the price down. The new model does away with the OLED display and drops the high-end storage options that previously scaled up to 16GB of memory and 1TB of storage. Instead, the company focused on delivering a more streamlined device at a lower entry price.

Despite the cutbacks, Ayaneo did not compromise on build quality. The Pocket Vert features a full metal CNC-machined body with a clean, minimalist design. The buttons are unmarked, with no engravings, giving the handheld a simple and modern look that closely resembles the Analogue Pocket. This design choice helps the Pocket Vert stand out while appealing to fans who prefer a sleek, no-frills aesthetic in their retro gaming devices.

The smaller screen and processor still pack decent power

The device comes with a 3.5-inch LCD screen instead of the larger OLED display. The screen has a 1,600 x 1,440 resolution, which should provide sharp visuals for retro games. This is smaller than what the Pocket DMG offers.

Ayaneo installed a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip inside the Pocket Vert. This processor is powerful enough to run games up to PS2 level. It can also handle some Nintendo Switch games, though performance may vary depending on the title.

The $269 starting price is for early bird customers only. Regular pricing will likely be higher once the early bird period ends. This makes the handheld more accessible than the Pocket DMG, though Google recently addressed a longtime complaint with a similar caveat.

The Pocket Vert trades premium features for affordability. Fans who wanted a cheaper option now have one, but they’ll need to accept the compromises. The metal body and capable processor are the main highlights of this budget-friendly model.

Ayaneo hasn’t announced a release date yet. On the other hand, Sony filed a wild patent using AI technology to make a weird turn in how you play games. More details about the Pocket Vert’s availability should come soon.